BRAMPTON, Ont. - Freshmen Cheridan Hawkins and Danica Mercado and the USA Softball Junior National Team (8-0) continued to roll in Friday's Junior World Championships playoff opener with a five-inning 7-0 win over Australia (6-2).

Hawkins (3-0) won her third straight start, struck out four, walked none and allowed only one hit in her 4.1 innings.

Pac-12 counterpart - UCLA freshman Paige McDuffee - got the final two outs, and allowed one hit, and posted no strikeouts or walks.

Mercado rapped a single in the third inning, and the starting second baseman ended the contest with a 1-for-3 effort at the plate.

Aussie starter Amelia Cudicio got the loss after she gave up one walk, three extra-base hits and four earned runs to start the game.

Brittney Flint followed, and in the final 3.2 innings she allowed two strikeouts, three walks, eight hits and three earned runs.

Australia's lone hits were a fourth-inning double by Rachel Lack and fifth-inning single by Maddie Cameron.

"We were tested a little bit more today," USA Head Coach Tairia Flowers said. "The ball was put in play more and the girls faced some tough pitching. It took us a little bit to make adjustments, but the girls stepped up and found a way to score runs. Our defense made key plays, throwing out some base runners, and Sierra Romero made some great plays at shortstop. It was definitely a team effort and I can’t speak more highly of this group and how well they interact and play together."

For the tournament, Hawkins continues to lead the U.S. squad in innings (14.1), strikeouts (21), walks (0), hits allowed (2) and starts (3).

Mercado owns a tournament batting average of .417 (5-for-12), and is one of 11 American players hitting above .400.